Electrode holder



June 28, 1960 F, M slMMs ETAL 2,943,183

ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed March 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 28, 1960 F. M. slMMs ETAL ELECTRODE HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1959 United States Patent ice ELECTRODE HOLDER Forde M. Simms, rvingtomand JohnfV. Warinsky, Orad'ell, NJ., 'assigno'rs `to Falstrom Company, Passaic, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 800,309

is Claims.y (ci. 219-r44) The present 'invention lrelates to areswelding apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved electrode 'holder for such apparatus. f

The rapid development and universal acceptance 'of electric-arc welding for the'joining of metal members has led to the development of many types of electrode holders or welding guns. For example, gas-shielded electricarc-welding apparatus of the type 'shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,694,764, issued November 4, 1954, to A. Meuller, is used for inertgas shielded alternatingcurrentaro weld- Ving with a consumable or depositing electrode and is provided with a longitudinally disposed or straight electrode holder. For welding metals, such `as magnesium, aluminum, stainless steel, and special alloys and bronzes, 'where high welding currents are involved, watencooled, gas-shielded arc-'welding apparatus (ofthe type shown in U.S. Patent No.2,468,806, issued May 3, '1949, to F. l. Pilia), having a substantially non-,consumable electrode of tungsten is manufactured with a similar longitudinally disposed (straight) electrode holder. To provide greater maneuverability for the consumable-type electrode arc-welding apparatus in the varc welding of metal members, electrode holders having their electrodegripping portion angularly disposed 'with respect to the hand-gripping portion of the electrode holder (of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,468,808, issued May 3, 1949, to F. M. Drake), have been developed. A further examplejof such angularly-di'sposed electrode-holders of the manual type is shown in U.S. Patent No. 52,514,060, issued July 4, 1950, to L. F. Hirnrnelman. A similar angularly disposed electrode holder of the manual type or the machine type is shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,512,706, issued June 27, 1950, to N. E. Anderson.

Although the above-mentioned conventional electrode holders are satisfactory for some arc-welding operations, the rigid integral construction of both the longitudinallydisposed (straight) electrode holders and angularlyedisposed electrodeholders prevents longitudinal adjustment or further angular adjustmentvof the operating end of the electrode with respect to the hand-gripping portion of such electrode holders. Such llexibility of longitudinal and angular disposition of the electrode is necessary to satisfactorily arc weld corner members or to arc vveld together inaccessible `interior members.' As a result it is necessary for the metal-fabricating manufacturer to stock a large number of electrode holders, some having such operating end of the electrode disposed'at various longitudinal distances from the hand-gripping or machinegripping portions thereof and others having such operating end angularly disposed at various angles with respect to such gripping portions of theV electrode holders:

The problem of the metal-fabricating manufacturer is further complicated by the rising spiral of labor costs, which costs are increasedby the lost production time required to obtain a replacement electrode holder, to change from one electrode holder tothe other electrode holder and to adjust the apparatus and thev replacement 2,943,183 Patented June 28, 1960 electrode holder to proper operating conditions before proceeding with the metalefabricating operation.

We -are aware of the many unsuccessful attempts in the prior art to provide a tlexible electrode holder which is operable to provide controlled longitudinal displacement of an angular disposition of the operating end of the electrode with respect to the manual or machinegripping portions of the velectrode holder; which disposition can be maintained in such desired position without variation therefrom; which is simple and rugged in structure but vlight in weight; which retains its flexibility and has a long operational life; and which is low in cost and` comparable in .holders One of the earliest eiffoits to provide variation of the angular disposition of the electrode l'relative to the grippingportion of the electrode holder is disclosed in U.S.

price 'to conventional rigid electrode Patent No. 1,316,334, issued September 16, 1919, to A.

Schneider. This electrode holder secured the electrode in a transverse groove provided in a disc rotatable with respect to one of two lugs and retained in such groove by an oppositely disposed plate riveted to the other lug. By turning the electrode and the disc through 'any desired angle relativerto the body of the electrode holder the desired disposition is obtained. The heat generated by the 4arc-welding operation causes theV many complicated 'moving parts to oiddize and stick together thereby elimiparing its usefulness. .In addition, no longitudinal nexi- --bility is provided.

A 'welding electrode which may be liniitedly disposed in a 'desired direction and 'yet is readily detachable from the electrode holder is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,462,620, issued July 241923, to C. C. Peeler. A detachable electrode holder is provided having .a stationary disc-like jaw and a spring-biased similarly shaped movable jaw, each provided with a plurality of radially disposed cooperating grooves in whichthe 'electrode may be disposed to provide a limited varietyV of angular dispositions o'f the electrode withre'spect to the jaws. 'this electrode holder sutfersvvfron 'the limitation that angular dis'l'a'osi'titl'lt'thereof Whih is. dependent upon groove disposition. No longitudinal vllexibility of the electrode is provided. The cumbersome size of `'the jaws prevents the arewelding operator from reaching inaccessible members and corners. Its life is limited by the heat deteriora I tion of the spring biasing on such jaws.

U.S.YPatent No. 1,746,207, issued February 4, 1930, to P. P. Alexander, discloses a consumable-type electrode holder having the metallic electrode fed from feed 'rolls through a flexible electrode guide tube to the Welding tool. No provision is made for longitudinal or angular flexibility of the operating end of the consumable electrode with respect to the handle.

The allegedly flexible consumable-type Y electrode holder of U.S. Patent No. 2,307,553, issued January 5, .1943, to I. F. Weller, utilizes ast-ationary tube-supportmg member disposed within the handle and a movable tube-supporting member projecting from the handle and ,movable longitudinally with respect thereto by means of telescoping screw members. An electrode-holding and y y tube-supporting member'and movable lengthwise of the other, with Athe electrode carrying ends of such metal tubes projecting from the movable tube-supporting member. While .the metal tubes are limitedly longitudinally movable with to hold an electrode at various angles for operator convenience and is similar to the electrode holder of the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 1,462,620. This electrode holder has a stationary jaw provided with crossed grooves, a transverse groove and a longitudinal groove. In the chosen one groove of the jaw, an electrode is placed and held therein by a spring-biased hand-operated cam jaw. This electrode holder is subject to the same limitations as the above-mentioned patented electrode holder.

In U.S. Patent No. 2,404,437, issued July 23, 1946, to T. S. Donnelly, Jr., the angularly-disposable electrode holder mounts the slotted jaws on a supporting prong which is pivotable on tongues on a supporting bar and a cable connectorV of the holder. Bosses on the sup'- porting prong engage recesses in one tongue to lock the operating end of the electrode in the'desired angular disposition withrespect yto the handle. This locking arrangement limits the angles at which the electrode may be extended. The heat generated by the welding current oxidizes the joint, thereby making angular disposition of the electrode diicult and sometimes impossible. In addition, separate tools are required to loosen and tighten the bolt at the pivot. Further, hollow gas and water inlet lines may not be used with this construction.

The toolless underwater electrode holder (shown -in U.S. Patent No. 2,433,018, issued December 23, 1947, to B. Ronay), utilizes a swivel joint comprising a rotatable elbow member in tapered engagement with the swivel housing, to permit angular disposition of the electrode. To retain the swivel joint in its adjusted position a friction brake is used having a threaded plug which urges contact discs forward thereby locking the elbow member and housing together. No longitudinal exibility is-provided. Welding-current heat causes the threaded plug to oxidize vand stick, thereby requiring the use of tools to `adjust the holder. The complexity of the device renders its cost prohibitive.

The inert'gasshielded welding torch of U.S. Patent No. 2,547,872, issued April 3, 1951, to R. P. K-issick, includes a hinge connection between the handle and torch body to permit adjustment of the angle between'l the torch body and handle,. utilizing ilexible moldable rubber gas and water lines therebetween to permit Irelative movement between the two parts. The use of exible rubber lines results in leakage of gas and water at their clamped joints.

-The generated heatof the welding operation tends to dry and ultimately crack the rubber lines. Again the cost of the complicated welding torch reduces its use to special applications. Tools are required to adjust it. No longitudinal flexibility is afforded.

The closest approach to the long sought successful solution to the problem is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.

2,555,017, issued May 29, 1951, to R. W. Tuthill. This electrode holder uses a `deformable copper tube to supply gas and electricity to the electrode, which copper tube is covered with an electrically-insulating heat-resistant flexible sheath. A detachable coupling assembly connects the copper tube and flexible sheath at one end to the insulating handle and an electrodegripping means is hermetically mounted on the other end. After repeated bending the copper tube work hardens, becomes immobile and breaks.

v No provision is made for cooling-water connections for the electrode, thus limiting the electrode holders use to low-welding currents. No longitudinal flexibility is afforded. t

Finally, electrodeholding means were provided in the welding torch of U.S. Patent No. 2,863,983,issued December 9, 1958, to J. S. Kane et al., whereby the electrode may be mechanically adjusted in the torchto provide proper spacing between lthe work and the electrode. Ob-

provide controlled longitudinal displacement of and angular disposition of the operating end of the electrode lwith respect to the manual or machine-gripping portions of the electrode holder.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved ilexible electrode holder which can be maintained in the desired position without variation therefrom without the use of tools or the expenditure of valuable work time.

Still another object of the presentV invention is the provision of an improved exible electrode holder which is simple and rugged in structure but light in weight.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a ilexible electrode holder which retains its ilexibility and does not work harden during its entire long operable life.

A further object of the present invention is an improved fiexible electrode holder which is low in cost and comparable in price to the 'conventional rigid electrode holders. 1

A still further object of the present invention is the Yprovision of an' Aimproved flexible compact electrode holder -adapted for, comfortable use on various types of joints and corners, in n multitude'of Work assemblies, which joints and corners. would otherwise Vbe inaccessible to conventional rigid electrode holders.

A still further object ofthe present invention is the provision of an improved flexible electrode holder which is universally adapted to perform welding operations which heretofore required the use of a large number of conventional rigid electrode holders. i

The aforesaid objects of the present invention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by mounting a novel arrangement of the gas and electrical power and water lines in a ilexible electrically insulating, heat resistant sheath which is mounted in frictional engagement with the manual or machine-gripping portion or handle of the electrode holder and longitudinally reciprocable with respect to such holder to provide the desired longitudinal flexibility. The novel arrangement of the gas and electrical power and water Vlines consists of forming one of the lines into a helix to serve as a rigid but flexible core member and similarly winding one or more of theother lines about the core member to provide the desired exibility for the angular dispositionof the loperating endyof the electrode with respect tothe handle.

For a better understanding of the present invention referenceshould be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical-sectional view of the improved'flexible electrode holder of the present invention and showing the details of the novel arrangement of the gas and electrical power and water lines employed therein:

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical-sectional view of the upper portion of the improved exible electrode holder shown in Fig. l and showing the details of the connections between the novel arrangement and the electrodesupporting means. t .Y l

Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view of the improved flexible electrodeholder of the present invention and illustrating the flexibility of such electrode holder. Y

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but of anair-cooled gas-shieldedelectrode holder for use with a non-consumable electrode; n

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4 but of awatercooled gas-shielded electrode holder for `use with a nonconsumable electrode and having two helixes, one `for the cooling-water inlet'line and one for thecooling-water outlet line. p

Fig.k 6 is a view similar to Figs. -2, 4 and 5 but of a water-cooled gas-shielded electrode holder for use with'a consumable electrode and having an'arrangementlof supply lines similar to the three helix arrangement ofvFig. 2.

- but rigid core member. then Wound in the form of a helix l(in side by side relationship to limit the outside diameter ofrsuch novel ar- V.lthough the principles ofthe present invention are broadly applicable to electrode holders of both the conv vsumable electrode and non-consumable electrode type and although such improved electrode may be of the manual type or of the machine type, the present invention Yis particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a Vwater-cooled gas-shielded electrode holder for use with a non-consumable electrode and hence'it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

, With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, and referring particuy larly to Fig. 1, the improved electrode holder of the present invention is indicated generallyby the reference numeral 1).

To provide means for mounting a non-consumable electrode 12 in the electrode holder 10, such electrode 12 is inserted into a refractory metal collet 14 which is thread- Vably secured to the upper portion of the electrode-supporting means or cooling head 16. This cooling head 16 is provided with a cooling-water chamber 18 and an axial electrode-receivng chamber 20 intowhich the electrode 12 extends. A novel arrangement of an inert-gas inlet line 22 and a cooling-water inlet line 24 and cooling-water youtlet line 26 is connected to the electrode-receiving chamber 20 and the cooling-waterV chamber 18. The

inert gas,'suitably argon, flows into the electrode-receiving chamber` 20 at 29 and through the chamber 20 and gas-outlet ports (not shown) in the collet 14. The cooling waterows through the cooling-water. inlet line 24 and `into the cooling-water chamber 18 at 30 and returns at 32 ,via the cooling-water outlet line 26 to the source (not shown).

The cooling-water inlet and outlet lines 24 and 26 also serve as the electrical-power connections for the electrode 12.

The above-mentioned novel arrangement of the gas line l22 and cooling-water lines 24 and 26 is formed by lirst lwinding one of these lines (formed of hollow copper tubing), suitably the inert-gas inlet line 22, around a mandrel (not shown) in the form of a helix to form a flexible The other lines 24 and 26 are rangement) on the helix formed from the inert-gas inlet i line 22 as a mandrel. The original mandrel (not shown) .is then withdrawn and the novel arrangement of the gas and water lines secured to the cooling head 16 at 29, 30

and 32, as by brazing. The integral cooling head 16 and the ynovel arrangement of the gas and water lines are then .molded into a exible electrically-insulating, heat-resistant lsheath 34, suitably a rubber casing. This sheath 34 is .then inserted into frictional engagement with a hollow portions of the sheath 34 (Fig. l), which upper portions i surround the cooling head 16 andinto frictional engage- -ment therewith, thereby surrounding the operating end of the electrode 12 in an atmosphere of protective argon. Referring now to Pig. 3 itwill be understood by those 'skilled in the art that the improved electrode holder of the present invention is manually movable longitudinally with respect to the handle 36 from the solid-line position shown in such figure to the dotted-line position,

. indicated by the reference letter A, thereby positioning the operating end of the electrode 12 in a desired longitudinal position. The frictional contact between the sheath 34Vand the handle 36 maintains this longitudinal disposition ofthe operating end of the electrode 12 unless varied therefrom manually by the arc-welding operator.

In addition,the novel flexible helical arrangement of the .gas and water lines further permits disposition of the loperating end of such electrode 12 at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 36, as for example, the dotted-line position marked B. It will be further understood that this novel flexible helical arrangement of the gas and water lines provides suicient rigidity to maintain the operating end of the electrode 12 in this desired angular disposition Without deviation therefrom unless such angular disposition is varied manually therefrom by the arc-welding operator.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the novel ilexible helical arrangement of the supply lines may also be utilized in conjunction with electrode holders 10a, 10b and '10c shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 respectively. In such Figs. 4, Sand 6 thereferencenumerals followed by the Ysubscripts "a, "b and c indicate elements similar to those bearing like reference numerals in Figs. y1, 2 and 3.

Referring to the air-cooled gas-shielded electrode holder 10a shown in Fig. 4 and for use with a noneonsumable electrode 12a, it will be noted that the novel exible helicalv arrangement comprises a single helix, namely the inert-gas inlet line 22a secured to the cooling head 16a at 29a.

In the Water-cooled gas-shielded electrode holder 10b shown in Fig. 5 for use with a non-consumable electrode 12b, the novel flexible helical arrangement consists of two helixes, a core member, suitably the cooling-water outlet line 2Gb and the outer helix, the cooling-water inlet line 24b. In this embodiment the inert-gas inlet lline comprises a liexible plastic'tubing 22b, suitably nylon,

connected to the electrode-receiving chamber 20b at 29b by `a threadable connection.

From a consideration of Fig. 6 it will be understood that the water-cooled gas-shielded electrode holder 10c for use with a consumable electrode 40 utilizes an inert'- gas inlet line 22e as the core member of the novel flexible helical arrangement of the supply lines. The upper end of such inert-gas inlet line 22C, as viewed in Fig. 6, is connected at 29e to a Y-connection 42 secured to the bottom of the electrode-'receiving chamber 20c at 43, as by brazing. As in the arrangement of Fig. 2, the

cooling-water inlet line 24a` and cooling-water outlet line 26C are wound in side by side relationship about the inert-gas inlet line 22e, To provide electrode-guide means, a flexible guide tube 44 for the consumable electrode 40 is frictionally inserted into the inner helix 22a and is secured, as by threading, at .46 to the bottom of the Y-connection 42.. It will be .noted va nylon guide tube 45 inserted in the electrode-receiving chamber 18e serves as an intermediate guide. tube and a refractory metal contact tip 47 serves as the upper Aguide tube for the consumable electrode 40.- .Argon gas ows into the Y-connection '42 at 29o, through ports 48 in the lower flange of the intermediate guide tube 45, as viewed in Fig. 6, through the electrode-receiving chamber 20c and thence through apertures 50 in the cooling head 16C into the space between the ceramic cup (not shown) and the collet 14e and consumable electrode 40.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of the present invention have been achieved by the provision of an improved ilexible electrode holder which is operable to provide controlled longitudinal displacement of and controlled angular disposition of the operating end ofthe electrode With respect to the handle of the electrode holder. Suchimproved flexible electrode holder can be maintained in the predetermined desired position without the use of tools or the'loss of excessive valuable work time and Will not vary from such predetermined disposition unless manually forced therefrom by the operator.

This improved flexible. electrode holder is simple, compact and rugged in structure but is beneficially light in weight. Additionally, the improved exible electrode holder retains its flexibility and does not work harden during its entire longpoperating life. Furtherhsuchimproved flexible electrode holder is low in cost and conn parable in price to the conventional rigid electrode holders. As a further advantage the improved ilexible electrode holder -is adapted for comfortable use for the welding of various types of inaccessible joints and corners, the welding of which inaccessible joints and corners might not otherwise be accomplished by conventional rigid electrode holders.

A still further advantage of the improved flexible electrode holder is that it is universally adapted to perform welding operations which heretofore required the use of a large number of conventional rigid electrode electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to the other end of the conduit.

2. For an electrode holder adapted for use in electric arc welding and having an electrode-supporting means, a conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means to provide flexible ymounting means for said electrode-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to the other end of the conduit, and a flexible sheath disposed about said conduit and said electrode-supporting means for use as electrical and heat resistant means.

3. For an electrode holder vadapted for use in electric arc welding rand 4ha-ving an electrode-supporting means, a handle, a conduit formed into a lhelix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means to provide flexible mounting means for said electrode-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to the other end of the conduit, and a flexible sheath disposed about said conduit and said electrode-supporting means, said sheath being insertable into said handleV and movable longitudinally with respect to the handle to longitudinally position said electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to said handle.

4. For an electrode holder adapted for use in electric are welding and having `an electrode-supporting means, a first conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, and a second conduit formed into a helix about said rst conduit and also connected at one ,end to said electrode-supporting means, said first and second conduits providing flexible mounting means for said electrode-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with yrespect to the other ends of the conduits.

5. `For an electrode holder adapted for use in electric arc welding and having an electrode-supporting means, a first conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, and a second and a third-conduitformed in side by side relationship into helixes about said rst conduit and also connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, said rst conduit, said second conduitfand said third conduit providing flexible mounting Vmeans for said electrode-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with vrespect to the `other ends of the conduits.

. 6. For an electrode holder adapted for use in electric arc welding and having an electrode-supporting means,

a'exible conduitconnected at one end to said electrodesupporting means, a second conduit formed into a helix and disposed about said flexible conduit, said second conduit being connected `at one end to said electrode-supporting means, land a third conduit formed into a helix about said second conduit and also connected 4at one end to said electrode-supporting means, said second and third conduits providing llexible mounting means for said electrede-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to the other ends of the conduits.

7. An electrode holder adapted for use in gas-shielded electric arc welding, comprising an electrode-supporting Wmeans, a gas-inlet conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means to provide flexible mounting means for said electrode-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with 'respect to the other end of the gas-inlet conduit, and a flexible sheath disposed about said gas-inlet conduit and `said electrode-supporting means for use as electrical and heat resistant means. Y

8. An electrode holdergadapted for use in gas-shielded electric arc welding, comprising an electrode-supporting means, a handle, a gas-inlet conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means to provide flexible mounting means for said electrode-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired lwith respect to the other end of the gas-inlet conduit,yand a Ailexible sheath disposed about said gas-inlet conduit `and said electrode-supporting means, said sheath being insertable into said handle and movable longitudinally with respect to the handle to longitudinally posit-ion said electrode-supporting means `asdesired with respect to said handle.

9. A water-cooled electrode holder adapted for use in electric arc welding, comprising an electrode-supporting means, a first water conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means,

a second water conduit formed into a helix about said first water conduit and also connected Iat one end to said electrode-supporting means, said first and second water conduits providing flexible mounting means for said electrede-supporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to the other ends of the conduits, and `a flexible sheath disposed `about said second water conduit and said electrode-supporting means for use as elec trical and heat resistant means.

l0. A wateracooled electrode holder adapted for use in lgas-shielded electric arc welding, comprising an electrode-supporting means, a gas-inlet conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, a first water conduit land a second water conduit formed in side by side relationship into helixes about said gas-inlet conduit and also connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, said gas-inlet conduit, said iirst water conduit and said second Water conduit providing iexible mounting means for said electrode-sup porting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to the other ends of the conduits, and a tlexible sheath disposed about said first and second water conduits and said electrode-supporting means for use as electrical and heat resistant means.

1l. A water-cooled electrode holder adapted for use in gas-shielded electric arc welding, comprising an electrodesupporting means, a flexible gas-inlet conduit connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, a first water conduit formed into a helix and disposed about said gas-inlet conduit, said first water conduit being connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, a second water conduit formed into a helix about said rst water conduit and also connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, said iirst yand second water c011- g duits providing flexible mounting means for said electrodesupporting means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-supporting means as desired with Irespect to the other ends of the conduits, and a exible sheath disposed about said second water conduit and said electrodesupporting means for use as electrical and heat resistant means.

12. A water-cooled electrode holder adapted for use in gas-shielded electric arc welding, comprising an electrode-supporting means, a handle, a gas-inlet conduit formed into a helix and connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, a first Water conduit and a second water conduit formed in side by side relationship into helixes about said gas-inlet conduit and also connected at one end to said electrode-supporting means, said gas-inlet conduit, said iirst Water conduit and said second water conduit providing tiexible mounting means for said electrode-supporting means thereby permitting controlled `angular disposition of ythe electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to the other ends of the conduits, and a exible sheath disposed about said 'rst and second water conduits and said electrode-supporting means for use as electrical and heat resistant means, said sheath being insertable into said handle and movable longitudinally with respect to the handle to longitudinally position said electrode-supporting means as desired with respect to said handle.

iii

13. A water-cooled electrode holder adapted for use in gas-shielded electric arc-welding apparatus of the consumable type, comprising electrode-guide means, a handle, a gas-inlet conduit formed Iinto a helix and connected at one end to said electrodeguide means, a trst water conduit and a second water conduit formed in side by side relationship into helixes about said gas-inlet conduit and also connected at one end to said electrode-guide means, said gas-inlet conduit, said rst water conduit and said second water conduit providing flexible mounting means for said electrode-guide means thereby permitting controlled angular disposition of the electrode-guide means as desired with respect to the other ends of the conduits, and a flexible she-ath disposed about said first and second water conduits and said electrode-guide means for use as electrical and heat resistant means, said sheath being insertable into said handle and movable longitudinally with respect tothe handle to llongitudinally position said electrodeguide means as desired with respect to said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,946,306 Catlett Feb. 6, 1934 2,011,872 Rava Aug. 20, 1935 2,439,874 Suter Apr. 20, 1948 2,555,017 'Iuthill May 29, 1951 UNITED STATESTATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIN PatemNO. 2,943,183 e -June 2e"i% of I .Forde NL, Simms et alo It is hereby certified that error-appears in the printed specific-ation of the above numberedpatent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1r line 45` for "angularly disposed" read angularly disposed column 2v. line for "of an" read am of and fm; line ilv strike out "whioh"; column 4V line 555V .strike out the colon and insert instead a semineolon; lines 60l 63S1 and 7L, strike out the period and insert instead a semimcolon; column 5u line 21Y for *"eleetrode-receivn'qn read melectrodereeeiving line 537 for "rigd" read rigid me; line 7 .for "'A,."'q read v"A", celu/mn 6,l line 2V- for WB. '.7-

read "B". line 14, for "'gm read "am Signed and sealed this27th day ,of December 1960 (SEAL) Attest: l

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT Co WATSON VA'ttesting rOfficer 4 l` 'Commissioner Vvof Patents UNITED sTATEsf'PATE-NT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTIN Patent No. 22943,*183 I June 28,; 1960 Forde N1e Simms et alo It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specific-ation of the above numbered'p'atent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent vshould reads as corrected below. l

Column l, line 415` for "angularly disposed read Qangularly disposed column 2q. line 6g, for "of an" read =f` of and mg l line 4l, strike out "'which"; column 4, line 55(l strike outl thel colon and insert instead a semi-Colom lines O7 63I and .71 strike out the period and insert instead a semiecolon; column i Signed and sealed this27th day 4of December 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT Cto WATSON v Wi-X-ttestim; AGffi'c'er ."f'omm'issioner "of Patents 

